Kettering University

Celebrating ECE

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm came to campus in August to celebrate Kettering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE). Members of the ECE department and Kettering officials greeted Gov. Granholm, showcased recent ECE research and activities and expressed appreciation for the $500,000 that is coming to the University from the federal stimulus money. The funding is part of $1 billion+ that is coming to Michigan from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  

Special guest at the event was ECE Professor James Gover, author of Kettering's part of the successful proposal that brought the $500,000 to campus. Kettering will share in a grant that was awarded to the University of Michigan for the creation of 10 courses on hybrid electronics, batteries and green power. Kettering will develop two laboratories to support graduate and undergraduate courses. 

Granholm said she wants Michigan to become a national leader in green technologies and alternative energy. “We decided that Michigan would be the epicenter of advanced battery technology. It is a huge deal for jobs. What a great day for our future—we are all partners in building this state we love so much to be something spectacular,” she said. 

 

President Stan Liberty said the Kettering’s participation in the project is a symbol of the strength that mid-Michigan brings to the state. “Kettering is pleased to partner with the University of Michigan and the federal government on the advanced laboratories and courses needed to educate tomorrow’s workforce. Michigan’s university partners will train the next generation of workers in these new technologies,” he said.

“We are delighted to receive stimulus funding for electric drive vehicle battery and component manufacturing,” said Provost Michael Harris. “This award is a testimony to the capacity of our faculty,” he added.

The stimulus money will help in the creation of a new hybrid vehicle power electronics laboratory that will upgrade the teaching of three currently existing hybrid vehicle/power electronics courses at Kettering. Additionally, the funding will develop two new hybrid vehicle courses, he explained.